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Sikh Community Of Malaysia: A Tale Of Triumph Over Hardships

Sikh community is always regarded as the brave warriors of Indian soul. Now, they had given their blood, sweat and tears in a foreign country to create a niche of their own. Their toil is unravelling in a fictitious manner in Darshan Singh Gill's new book "Sikh Community Of Malaysia."

The book starts with a search on the roots of two year old Jaevina Kaur. Her great grandfather was an immigrant from Punjab, India in 1911. Away from his native village, Boor Singh Gill started his own cattle farm in Menglembu, Perak.

Boor Singh Gill had a good start in Malaysia. He brought his son, Ujagar Singh to the nation, who became a 'granthi'(priest). In the present day, Boor Singh Gills' family is sustained by Darshan Singh (fourth generation), Amarjit Singh (fifth generation) and Jaevina Kaur.

Their story is similar to thousands of other Punjabi families. They left their native land to find the 'pot of gold' in a foreign soil. They first came to FMS and later to Malaysia.

The immigrated Punjabis never returned to their homeland. They stayed infusing richness and culture to Malaysia. They soon called Malaysia a home away from home.

Divided into 10 chapters, the "golden treasury" delves into the varied history of the Sikhs.

Darshan Singh spent almost two years to document the history of Malay Sikh Community. The 266-page hardcover book is a veritable cornucopia of information about Sikhs from the Malaysia-Thai border to Johor Baru. Divided into 10 chapters, the "golden treasury" delves into the varied history of the Sikhs from their origins, belief, identity and the Gurdwara (temple) to their culture, traditions, festivals and celebrations.

Darshan Singh, lawyer and community organizer also researched Sikh organisations, their role in public education and sports besides highlighting public recognition given to Sikhs in Malaysia through awards and honours. Sultan Azlan Shah of Perak had nothing but praise for the book in his foreword: "They form an integral part of our colourful social fabric."